Make a Difference In the Lives of Local Cancer Survivors!
"Cancer is universal. In one way or another it impacts all.
Paulette with brothers jay (left) and Richard (right)
As a survivor and a caregiver, Paulette knows the financial burden cancer treatments can place on individuals and their families. She started the CMC Foundation, to raise funds for others in her local community, to reduce the financial hardships that cancer can cause. She also takes the stewardship of the public’s trust very seriously when raising funds. With the continued dedication of the community, Cancer of Many Colors continues to grow as an organization with the goal of becoming a major resource for the Midlands.
There is no one "cancer."
The same cancer type in one individual is very different from that cancer in another individual. Within a single type of cancer, such as breast cancer, researchers are discovering subtypes that each requires a different treatment approach. As researchers learn more and more about the nature of the disease, we're reminded of how complex it is, and how much more we need to know. But whatever the specific type, all cancer profoundly challenges the men and women who are fighting it. Their struggle touches all of the people in their lives: husbands, wives, and partners; parents, children, sisters and brothers; caregivers; co-workers, friends and neighbors.
Our Team
Paulette Criscione, Founder /Survivor
Paulette Criscione created Cancer of Many Colors because of the loss of her family. Paulette’s father died from breast cancer in 1981. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 after relocating to Lexington, SC. Her brothers died from leukemia and bile duct cancer within four years. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011. Paulette understands the emotional and financial hardships of this dreaded disease. Her mission is to help local cancer patients with their daily living expenses so they can focus on recovery. She also wants to provide emotional support to the patient’s caregivers. Paulette’s vision for Cancer of Many Colors is to be a major resource to others in the Midlands.
Marie Glinski, President
Marie Glinski graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1995 and retired her snow boots & earmuffs for flip-flops and sunshine in 1998. Marie resides in Florence, South Carolina, and spent 17 years as a Regional Sales Leader within the banking industry. Marie has a genuine passion for helping people personally and professionally, which brought her to start her own small business coaching company, Phat Maverick, as well as join the Cancer of Many Colors board. Because Marie’s mother is a breast cancer survivor, she understands and is empathetic to the emotional and financial devastation cancer causes. Marie’s personal experience with cancer fuels her passion for growing Cancer of Many Colors into a significant resource for cancer fighters within all of South Carolina.
Stephanie Sluder, Secretary
Stephanie Sluder is retired from the a career in the legal world, as well as working with the non-profit organization, South Carolina School Boards Association. She is active as a personal trainer and fitness instructor as well as serving as the Secretary to the Board for Cancer of Many Colors. She is a wife and mother of 2 daughters, stepmother of 3 other children, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 5. She has felt the sting of cancer many times; losing her father and older sister to lung cancer. Her Mom survived breast cancer and she has a sister who survived cervical cancer. It has hit close to home far too often. She is motivated to help others to fight the good fight.
Heyward Barnes, Treasurer
Heyward Barnes is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Aiken, SC. Heyward holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina. He is active in civic and community events as a Rotarian in the West Metro Rotary Club. He also serves on the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Directors.
Heyward lives in Lexington, SC with his wife Brooke and their two children (Stella and Baer). He has seen how cancer can affect families as he has had several family members and close friends deal with this dreaded disease.
Christine LaCount
Christine fell in love with helping others when she volunteered for the first time at the age of 14, participating in a March of Dimes walk-a-thon. A long time SC resident, she believes strongly in mission of Cancer of Many Colors in helping to meet the basics needs of local cancer patients as they travel through their cancer journey. The mother of 23 year old twins, Christine developed a strong passion for helping cancer survivors when her 4 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. She knows firsthand the struggles a family faces with a cancer diagnosis. Most of her adult years, Christine has tirelessly dedicated her time to many charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, The Leukemia Society and Avon’s Breast Cancer Walk. She and her husband are avid hunters who love watching football and spending time with friends.
Pat Dempster
Pat Dempster is a Financial Planner and maintains a private office in Columbia, SC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Programming from Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina. She is an active member of the Capital Rotary Club and serves as Team Leader of the Rotary’s Dictionary Project. Pat lives in Lexington, SC with her husband, Rick. They are proud to be called ‘Mimi’ and ‘Pops’ by their 2 precious grandchildren. Pat has experienced the toll cancer puts on patients and their family members. She lost her father to brain cancer, her aunt to kidney cancer, her step mother is currently fighting breast cancer and several other family members are survivors of melanoma, colon cancer and kidney cancer. The physical, emotional and financial hardships can be devasting to those so closely impacted. Pat believes in and supports the mission of Cancer of Many Colors. She is dedicated to promoting awareness within the communities of SC on how we all can help CMC help others fight the fight.